Darren Doyle, story and photosEmergency officials had to shut down KY HWY 259 N near Salem Church Road in Bee Spring this afternoon when a truck collided with a utility pole, smashing it into pieces.

Sheriff Shane Doyle said the driver of the 1997 Dodge Ram, Johnny Nolan, 48, of Clarkson, claimed that he simply missed the curve, ran off the road, and crashed into the pole, however, Doyle said there wasn't much of a curve there so he felt like there was more to the story. Doyle said the driver showed several signs of intoxication, and noted there were some rolling papers in plain sight inside.

Doyle said he also found a bag of marijuana and a freshly smoked joint stuffed inside a tobacco can. Nolan was placed under arrest and charged with Driving under the influence (drugs), Possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana. He was transported and lodged in the Hart County Jail.

Luckily, the pole was carrying only telephone lines, so no one was in danger of electric hazards. On the other hand, local residents are likely to be out of telephone and/or internet service until after midnight, according to a Windstream technician who was on scene.

Officials said the driver will be responsible for the cost of replacing the pole and repairing the lines, which is expected to be in the thousands of dollars, possibly even more, depending on the condition of the lines.

Emergency responders were detouring northbound traffic on KY HWY 728 and they said the road could stay shut down for two hours or more.

Responding to the scene in addition to the sheriff's office were the Brownsville Police and Kyrock Fire Department.